It
all began from my love of artwork, which eventually
led me to being an art collector, of not only paintings
and statues but also primitive art. Initially I collected
artwork as an investment, but then I fell in love with
my collection, and I have never wanted to sell any of
it even though I got some very high offers.

My
love of and pride about Indonesian art has been boosted
even more since I participated in art auction for Indonesian
primitive artwork overseas. In fact, our primitive artwork
is fantastically appreciated there and prices can reach
up to billions of rupee.

On one occasion I met Haji Daeng Iskandar who is an
art dealer, very well known in the trade of primitive
artwork overseas. Daeng has close relations with art
collections including Jean Paul Barbier, the biggest
collector of primitive statues in the world. He is also
the owner of the Barbier-Mueller museum in Switzerland.
During that encounter, Daeng mentioned that Jean Paul
Barbier had wanted to found a museum dedicated purely
to Indonesian primitive statues. I was surprised hearing
that, and was inspired to gather up my collection to
be put into a museum. Originating from this dialogue,
finally a museum was founded and called PUMA MUSEUM.

This museum will be officially opened on 31 December
2004. This enterprise will certainly be successful because
of the support from all of the people whom I will not
be able to mention one by one. In selecting the artwork
which is displayed in the museum, I was helped by my
friends who have experience in this field including
Haji Daeng Iskandar and Wahyono Martowikrido (the Head
of the History and Archeology section on national Museum
in Jakarta)

To add the value of the museum, we agreed to display
I Made Wiradana's paintings on the front wall of the
museum building. I Made Wiradana is a painter whose
work has been inspired by primitive art depicted on
ceramic murals. For these reasons, I would like to thank
to all of the people who have been involved and supportive
and motivating so that PUMA MUSEUM could be established
to express my love and care for my own people's artwork.
Finally I hope that the museum can help the government
to preserve a part of Indonesian culture.